Camping opportunities surrounding Brian Head, Utah range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites across public lands at elevations around 10,000 feet. Point Supreme Campground in Cedar Breaks National Monument provides developed camping with flush toilets and showers, while Bear Flat offers dispersed camping in aspen groves with views of Cedar Breaks. The area includes both National Forest and National Monument lands with RV-friendly options at Duck Creek and tent camping throughout the region. Cedar Canyon Retreat RV Park and Campground provides cabin accommodations for those seeking more amenities near Cedar City.
Many campgrounds in the Brian Head area operate seasonally due to the high elevation, with most sites accessible only from late May through September. A camper noted, "Even in late June there's lingering snow," highlighting the importance of weather awareness. The region experiences cool temperatures year-round, with nighttime temperatures dropping significantly even during summer months. Road conditions vary considerably, with some dispersed areas requiring high-clearance vehicles. Navajo Lake Campground remains accessible year-round despite seasonal fluctuations in weather conditions. Cell service is limited throughout the region, particularly in dispersed camping areas, and fire restrictions are commonly implemented during summer months.
The high elevation camping near Brian Head provides relief from summer heat and exceptional stargazing opportunities. Several developed campgrounds feature meadow views and hiking access to scenic viewpoints. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, Cedar Breaks National Monument offers "a mini Bryce Canyon without the crowds" with "some of the best stargazing ever" due to dark skies at high elevation. Bear Flat receives positive reviews for its accessibility and scenery, with campers appreciating the aspen groves and proximity to mountain biking trails. Campsite density varies significantly between established campgrounds like Point Supreme, where sites are positioned relatively close together, and dispersed areas that offer more privacy but fewer amenities. Wildlife viewing and wildflower displays during summer months represent additional highlights of camping in this region.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$30 / night
"You know all those calendar photos of Utah you’ve seen your whole life? This is that part of Utah."
"This campground has easy access to All the Cedar Breaks National Monument has to offer! Great sites, although my only complaint is that they are pretty close to one another."
$30 - $160 / night
"It's easy to get to (once you get through the mountain pass on either side) off of Utah 14 in the beautiful stretch of land called Duck Creek."
"Clean restrooms, water on taps, close to Duck Creek Reservoir. Friendly hosts & very affordable. Close to many hiking trails. Love Utah's Forest Service Campgrounds!"
$25 - $250 / night
"Cedar Canyon Retreat is a cute little campground close to Cedar Breaks National Monument and to the town of Brian Head. We stayed in our 30' TT and site 20 was plenty big enough."
"Trails to explore on the property and great private bathrooms w/showers. Only been open a couple seasons. We got lucky. Once the word gets out this place will need to be booked months in advance."
$35 - $130 / night
"Sites were typical National Park, small and close together but well positioned. We had close access to a modern restroom that was clean and well maintained. "
"Watchman is conveniently located within walking distance of the Zion National Park south entrance. The camp sites are shaded with trees and red gravel/sand ground structure."
"Campground with dispersed campsites within a grove of aspen trees adjacent to a large meadow and the Marathon TH, with a stunning view of Cedar Breaks. Vault toilet is well-maintained."
"There was a creek nearby that my dogs loved playing in and lots of trails to off road on. The place was very clean and please help keep it that way if you go."
$23 - $60 / night
"It’s a nice spot right across from Navajo Lake. 11 sites are walk-in and another 12 are drive-up. There are also a couple of double sites."
"Navajo Lake Campground fits the idyllic image of camping by a lake. The farthest sites would be a five minute walk to the shore from the upper campground."
"Mammoth Dispersed Campground offers a beautiful setting among tall pines, with plenty of shade, cool temperatures, and easy access to a peaceful stream (both day use area and overnight campsites with access"
"Perfect location for any size group. Very quiet and serene. Next to a river and close to navajo lake. Had some fire pits and a small bathroom. Awesome spot!"
"Bummer, it’s right off the highway, but late at night it’s pretty quiet. Just have to checkout all the pullouts for a walking trail down to a camping spot. Not too shabby."
"Right off of highway but plenty of tree cover to dampen road noise. Waterfall and creek noise to lull you to sleep. Large dirt parking area."
"The overflow is where we stayed which is tucked into the trees and has a creek running through it."
"The other spots by the creek are all close to each other with minimal privacy. The spot we found was completely separate and next to creek. Wed was pretty empty but then it filled up on Thursday."
"The park is on the edge of town but close to anything you might want or need. Our site was directly across from the playground and 50 steps from the off-leash dog park."
"The showers weren't that great, very close to main road and I'm surprised at how bumpy and angled the entrances are considering. Wifi works well, tmobile and Verizon service."
RangerWe are staying for a week here. Is is super quiet and dark at night for star viewing. We are 40 minutes from the main Zion entrance and April is the perfect time to be here. There is a paved road in at this section so it is the best option around this area with a large rig.
TravelerThis campground has beautiful views. As people say there is traffic during the day and it is close to the road, but it is quiet at night. We got in after hours and just went to our reserved site. Site was not totally level. Walked around and wound up running into the camp host who introduced herself. Told her about the not level site and she said she would make sure it got corrected, that they were about to do some maintenance on the sites. The game room had air hockey, ping pong etc., but it has an extremely musty, moldy smell that set off my allergies in minutes and we had to leave. Great front porch with rocking chairs where we sat and watched the sun set on the canyon. Bathroom was nearby- 2 family rooms, which wound up not being enough and I had to walk to other bathrooms in the morning as both were being used. Those extra bathrooms were only a little longer walk. We would return.
TravelerIt is very small and quite old with a lot of noise from a busy street. Camp manager is pleasant but the facility is all gravel and dusty. There is a car wash and RV wash next door. The RV wash is do-it yourself
RangerWe stayed 1 night. Got a full hook up spot, did tons of laundry in the great laudromat, had delicious ice cream at the well stocked visitor center, and hiked 6 miles through amazing panorama loops. It was peaceful and so beautiful. Our cousins stayed in both types of cabins and loved them. The campground also has archery and disc golf. This is a must do state park.
RangerWe loved that it is 2 miles from Kodiochome State Park. It was just 1 mile past the state park entrance a little bit down a decent dirt road. We took a 36 foot 5th wheel into the 1st spot on the left. It was big and a nice pull around spot with a fire pit. We rode bikes further down and saw about 20 spots. Nice views, secluded, and great biking area.
RangerWe first attempted this spot but it was on the small side and better for vans or smaller rigs. The road in was a bit rougher too.
RangerMake sure you take the paved road to get to the site, Laverkin Overlook Rd. Off hwy 9. The gps takes you crazy ways through rough dirt roads. Go down to the 2nd left and there is a perfect cul-de-sac area. We loved this spot and stayed a week. AT&T service was good. 17 miles from Zion's main entrance and 22 minutes from Zion West entrance at Kolob Canyon.
ScoutI rented one of their camp cabins for one night. It had a plug in heater and electricity which I needed since the lows that night we're gonna be around 25°. They only charged me $40 for the night. The bathrooms and showers were only about a 100 feet from the cabin. It was very quiet on the property but this RV park is right on highway 89 and there was lots of highway noise until about 10 PM. This is an older rv park and has not been updated but it served well for staying warm and being on a budget. They had a blanket on the mattress and a couple of pillows but I would definitely recommend taking your own bedding and even a sheet or a tarp to put over the old bed. The property manager was friendly and helped me check in and pay even though he wasn't on site. I did need to pay with cash or check because no one was at the office but that was fine for me.
TravelerClean, neat and pretty tight. Extensive camp store and polite staff.
Camping sites near Brian Head, Utah range from high-elevation forest settings to lakeside retreats, with most positioned between 8,000-10,000 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically fluctuate between 70°F daytime highs and 40°F nighttime lows, creating ideal conditions for escaping lowland heat. Most dispersed areas lack amenities but offer proximity to natural features like aspen groves and mountain streams.
Mountain biking access: Bear Flat provides an excellent base for mountain bikers visiting Brian Head Resort. "This is our go-to campsite for MTB…as Brian Head resort is only a couple of minutes away," notes a camper at Bear Flat.
Kayaking on alpine lakes: Navajo Lake offers water activities with rental equipment nearby. "Small General Store about 1 mile away has supplies as well as rents motorboats, canoes, kayaks, pontoon boats. Staff is super friendly and eager to help," according to a reviewer at Navajo Lake Campground.
Visiting multiple national parks: Use Cedar Canyon as a central base for park hopping. A camper explains: "This was a nice place to stay that was in between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. It's about 1.5 hours to Bryce and about 1 hour to Zion with only being a few minutes from Cedar City."
Waterfall hiking: Several trails near camping areas lead to seasonal waterfalls. "There is a great little hike to a nice waterfall off a dam, too, if you arrive early enough," mentions a reviewer staying at Cedar Canyon Retreat.
High elevation cooling: Campers appreciate the temperature difference compared to nearby areas. "The best part was leaving cedar city at 95F arriving at the lake at 75F!" reports a camper at Navajo Lake Campground.
Diverse camping environments: The region offers everything from aspen groves to lakeside sites. "This campground is Prestine! It's close to Navajo lake - 25m from Cedar Breaks NM," notes a visitor at Duck Creek.
Creek access in dispersed areas: Many free sites feature water access. "We were lucky finding spot 2. The other spots by the creek are all close to each other with minimal privacy. The spot we found was completely separate and next to creek," writes a camper at Yankee Meadows.
Dark skies for stargazing: The high elevation and minimal light pollution create exceptional night viewing. "This is by far my favorite place to camp. With a high elevation it make a great spot to escape the heat and has some of the darkest skies in all of the country," explains a visitor at Point Supreme Campground.
Seasonal timing matters: Many high-elevation sites have short seasons. "Be aware that even in late June there's lingering snow," warns a camper at Bear Flat.
Weather fluctuations: Temperature swings are significant even in summer. One camper at Duck Creek notes: "We choose duck creek due to the proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon... This was a nice quite spot, but at the end of June it was freezing! In the mornings it was around 37 degrees."
Road conditions to dispersed sites: Many free sites require careful navigation. A visitor at Mammoth Dispersed advises: "Don't even come on from the north on that sketch road, it was narrow rocky and VERY STEEP into the hole the CG is in. Come on on south end thru the subdivision housing area."
Facilities are limited: Most sites have basic amenities only. "No showers or cell service, the bathrooms had running water and were clean. We never found any showers or laundry in duck creek village as the site suggested," explains a Duck Creek visitor.
Wildlife opportunities: Kids often enjoy animal sightings around camps. "Different kinds of creatures do move about at night in this area. Do not leave trash and food around your campsite before going to bed for the evening," advises a camper at Navajo Lake.
Holiday activities: Some campgrounds organize special events. At Watchman Campground, a visitor experienced: "It was Halloween and many of the kids camped around us dressed up in costumes and went trick or treating. Many campers put up festive lighting and one even set up a full size inflatable castle which was a big hit."
Swimming access: Look for sites with water features for hot days. At Westside Campground, a camper notes: "The summer nights by the beach camping out with your people and your dogs is one of my favorites. The beach is mostly clean, sometimes rude people leave behind garbage but the main culture their helps out to maintain a clean peaceful and fun environment!"
Creek exploration: Small streams provide endless entertainment. "There was a creek nearby that my dogs loved playing in and lots of trails to off road on," mentions a Bear Flat visitor.
Site selection for larger rigs: Many campgrounds have limited large spaces. A visitor at Cedar Canyon Retreat RV Park and Campground reports: "We stayed in our 30' TT and site 20 was plenty big enough... There isn't a whole lot of shade around the campground for both RV's and Tent sites."
Hookup options: RV services vary widely by location. "We stayed five nights at this campground. It is a smaller, family ran campground. There are large pull thru's and back-in sites," notes another Cedar Canyon camper.
Temperature management: High elevation means planning for both heat and cold. "The temps were near 100, so we were grateful to have the FHU at our site, though evening temps were very pleasant and we slept with windows open," explains a visitor at Westside Campground.
Generator restrictions: Many campgrounds limit or prohibit generator use. "Duck Creek is very close to Bryce Canyon and Zion with only being a few minutes from Cedar City. We enjoyed the more campground feel vs a large gravel lot that most RV Parks offer," writes a Cedar Canyon camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to camp in Brian Head, Utah?
The prime camping season in Brian Head runs from late May through September, when temperatures are most comfortable at this high-elevation destination. Summer brings pleasant daytime temperatures in the 70s-80s°F with cool nights in the 40s-50s°F. Duck Creek offers wonderful wooded camping during summer months, with pines and aspens providing natural shade. Pine Lake Campground is typically accessible by mid-June once snow melts, though campers should note the area can experience significant insect activity during early summer. Fall brings spectacular foliage and fewer crowds, while early spring often has lingering snow at higher elevations. Winter camping is extremely limited due to heavy snowfall, with Brian Head primarily functioning as a ski destination during this season. Always check road conditions and campground closures before planning a trip.
Where are the best campgrounds near Brian Head, Utah?
Brian Head offers diverse camping options in stunning mountain settings. Bear Flat provides dispersed camping in aspen groves with vault toilets and incredible views of Cedar Breaks, making it perfect for mountain bikers with Brian Head Resort just minutes away. Cedar Canyon is another excellent option, well-maintained and strategically located near Cedar Breaks and Duck Creek. For camping by water, Navajo Lake Campground in Dixie National Forest offers both walk-in and drive-up sites with fishing access. Those seeking more remote experiences can explore Lava Flats Dispersed Camping, which accommodates both tent campers and larger RVs with established fire rings and nearby dumpsters. Point Supreme Campground at Cedar Breaks National Monument also provides reservable sites with amenities like water and toilets at higher elevations.
Can you RV camp in Brian Head, and what facilities are available?
Brian Head and the surrounding area offer several excellent options for RV camping with varying amenity levels. Cedar Canyon Retreat RV Park and Campground accommodates RVs up to 30 feet with clean facilities and helpful camp hosts. It's conveniently located near Cedar Breaks National Monument and Brian Head town. For those wanting full hookups, Painted Hills RV Resort provides comprehensive amenities including a pool and jacuzzi, making it an excellent base camp for Brian Head activities. RV campers can also find dispersed options at locations like Lava Flats and Bear Flat, which can accommodate larger rigs but without hookups. Some public campgrounds in the region have sites suitable for smaller to medium RVs but may have limited or no hookups. Many RV parks in the area remain open year-round, while dispersed and public campgrounds typically close during winter months.
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